Elizabeth Pettit has saved her best for last in her final high school cross country season at St. Pius X.

The senior runner set a new personal-best time when she ran 20 minutes, 17 seconds to finish sixth individually at the Gene Mullin Invitational at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. on Oct. 5, leading the Lady Golden Lions to the team title.

Her performance at the Gene Mullin Invitational is among a number of strong performances by Pettit, who ran 20:53 at the Warpath Invitational in Canton on Sept. 17 despite being sick.

Pettit’s improved performance is a result of a strenuous training program during the summer, according to St. Pius X girls coach Debbie Guilbeau.

“She put in a lot of mileage during the summer,” Guilbeau said. “She worked hard and dedicated herself to getting better and the hard work is paying off.”

Pettit has been a key member of the St. Pius girls cross country team during her entire four-year career, playing a major role in the Lady Golden Lions’ 2009 state championship as well as three consecutive region titles.

She is also a standout in the classroom, taking AP and Honors classes at St. Pius X since her freshman year.

Pettit has made her mark on the St. Pius X girls track and field team as well, finishing sixth in the girls 3,200-meter run and eighth in the 1,600 in Class AAA at the state meet as a junior last spring.

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